Set of devices for transferring electric signals

• US 6,257,936 B1
• Filed: 10/22/1998
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ABB AB (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB AB (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Strandberg, Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEBB, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US09/171,635
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 439/928, 439/709, 439/715, 439/716
• US Class Current: 439/715
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2408 Modular blocks H01R9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/928 Modular electrically interengaging parts, e.g. stove with replaceable heating elements formed on coupling parts

Abstract

In a set of devices for transferring electric signals, devices according to at least two different designs are provided. Each device comprises a bus and a connector providing electrical and mechanical connection of the bus to a bus of another of the devices. Each device further includes terminals for external connection of the device to electrical arrangements, for signal exchange with the electrical arrangements. Each device further includes a signal adapting module electrically connected to the bus and to the terminals. The different designs of the devices allow sets of devices to be combined in a way which utilizes space efficiently.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a number of first devices and a number of second devices for transferring electric signals, each of said first and second devices comprising;

a first unit including a first bus, and a device interconnect means for electrically and mechanically connecting said first bus to said first bus in two other of said first and second devices;

a second unit including a number of terminals for external connection to an electrical arrangement, for signal exchange therewith; and

a number of signal adapting modules each mechanically connected to only one of said first and second devices and electrically interconnecting said first bus and said terminals,

wherein;

each of said second devices has a greater number of said terminals than each of said first devices, and

said first and second devices have respective longitudinal axes intersecting substantially perpendicularly when said first and second devices are mechanically connected together.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said second unit of said first device includes direct electric connection lines connecting said signal adapting module to said terminals; and

said second unit of said second device includes electrical components for processing signals received from said signal adapting module and directed to said terminals.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

said second units of said first and second devices include a printed circuit card having conducting paths for electric connection of said signal adapting module to said terminals; and

said electrical components are included on said circuit card.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal length of said second device exceeds the transverse length of said first device by an amount corresponding to an additional space required by an additional number of terminals or other electrical components.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width occupied by said terminals of either of said first or said second devices substantially corresponds to an extension of said signal adapting module when connected to said first device or said second device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second device has at least twice as many terminals as said first device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said first and second devices are connected to a pre-determined, equal number of electrical arrangements;

said first device being connected to said pre-determined number of electrical arrangements by a single wire connection; and

said second device being connected to said pre-determined number of electrical arrangements by an n-wire connection, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2.